LEFT IN TEARS....
I, along with my elderly mother and father, have been loyal longtime customers of Tha's for over 10 years. His prices were more reasonable than others and we knew he wouldn't do anything unethical in fixing our cars. However, lately I have seen a substantial decline in the quality of the work and customer service.
I scheduled a routine oil change days in advance and still ended up waiting for 2 hours (the wait at Jiffy Lube is 10 minutes). So expect long wait times. Furthermore, I saw one of his new guys not use a funnel when topping off the break fluid and lots of fluid dribbled out of the bottle into my engine. Keep in mind last week my dad had his oil changed by Tha and discovered the oil cap was left completely off, just sitting on the engine when he returned home. If my dad hadn't immediately checked, who knows what kind of damage could have been done. So after two hours of standing (no chairs), waiting for my car oil to be changed, I asked to check the oil level. I couldn't see the oil line very clearly, but Tha insisted it was fine. I thanked him and left.
The next day I thought it would be a good idea to check the level. Every time I checked on different "leveled" surfaces the oil indicated low (see photo). I called Tha and he raised his voice at me in exasperation saying the level is fine! I told him I'm concerned, and asked if could I swing by for him to do a quick check. He reluctantly agreed.
When I arrived, I held out my phone so Tha could see a photo of the low oil level to prove I wasn't making this up. He dismissively walked right past me while impatiently snapping, "Ya, ya, I don't want to see a photo. Let me look at the car." I trailed behind him and when he checked the level it surprisingly looked pretty normal in the middle. "That's strange," I said. What would cause that to happen?" Immediately Tha's countenance became angry and he threatened, "How do I know?!? You tell me!! I don't know where you took that photo or where you checked the level! WE are professionals! WE know how much oil to put in your car! The next time you come back and I check your oil, YOU will be charged!" He continued to "let me have it" even making some rude personal remarks about my prescription sunglasses. I was shocked that he was speaking to me in such a disdainful, unprofessional manner and I explained how I was simply a concerned customer trying to prevent possible engine damage. Shaking his head at me with extreme annoyance he admonished, "No! Oil can even be on low and be fine! You worry too much! Next time you go somewhere else for oil change or I charge you extra! You understand me ?!? Tha's alarming behavior had quickly changed from the dismissive treatment I experienced the last couple of years to full-blown hostility. I explained how my entire family supported his business for over 10 years as very loyal customers. But Tha cut me off saying, "Ya ya- I appreciate your business..." and then completely walked away from me when I was talking in mid sentence.
After getting balled out, I left shaken up and in tears (on Valentine's Day of all days!), feeling disrespected and like all my years of loyalty were slapped in the face the minute I questioned him. Is it such a crime to come back 2-3 times in those 10+ years and ask for 5 minutes of his time to recheck the workmanship? No customer should be yelled at and treated with such rudeness, along with putting up with long wait times, and lower quality work. I will take my business elsewhere where they value their customers and treat them with the respect and dignity they deserve. read more